What does purposing mean?
Purposing is a formal or literary word meaning “intending” or “planning to do something.” It is most commonly encountered as the present participle of purpose, as in “He was purposing to leave,” where it describes an intention that may or may not be carried out. The form can also be used as a gerund to name the act of forming or pursuing an intention, although this use is now uncommon. Its sound and rhythm have a deliberate, traditional quality, making it especially suitable for formal prose, historical narration, or deliberately elevated writing. In ordinary contemporary English, “intending,” “aiming,” or “planning” will usually sound more natural. Purposing is nevertheless useful because it concentrates the idea of a considered purpose rather than merely describing a proposed action: it suggests that someone has settled on an objective and is organizing their conduct around it.
To intend, plan, or aim to do something.
"They were purposing to expand the programme the following year."
Chiefly formal, literary, or archaic; usually found in the present participle or with an infinitive complement.
The action or process of intending or planning something.
"The purposing of the expedition occupied the council for several months."
A rare gerundial or abstract use, now chiefly found in formal or older writing.
Purposing preserves an older, more deliberate way of saying “intending,” lending even a simple plan a touch of ceremony.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does purposing come from?
Purposing derives from purpose, which entered Middle English from Old French pourpos, meaning an aim or intention. Old French pourpos came from Latin propositum, the neuter past participle of proponere, meaning “to put forward” or “propose.” The English verbal form purpose and its present participle purposing developed from this established noun. Related words include proposal and proposition, which descend through the same Latin root.
Related word forms
How purposing is actually used
The verb form is chiefly formal, literary, or archaic and often sounds more deliberate than “intending” or “planning.” In older writing it may also function as a gerund, especially in constructions such as “the purposing of a journey.”